To the Editor

Editor’s note: The following e-mail was sent to Doug Halberstadt, sports writer.

Hi, Doug,

Thank you so much for running the article about our track dedication [
Illinois Growth Enterprises to dedicate Herbert H. Hodges Track,

Aug. 19-25, 2009]. Fortunately, the weather cooperated. It was a great experience for everyone that came to the program. I was surprised that almost everyone joined in on the first lap around the track. Thank you again for your coverage. We received several phone calls from folks that saw your article.

Valerie Johnson

Illinois Growth Enterprises

Loves Park

• • •

Library funding misrepresented

Library supporters have tried mightily to muddy the waters by misrepresenting library employees as city employees. The library has always been its own separate governmental entity, with its own power to tax. It’s not required by state statute to provide employee pension benefits.

The mind-boggling claim that
the library has been managing prudently without a referendum for years

couldn’t be further from the truth. In addition to their annual tax revenue, library hierarchy have weaseled millions through back-door referendums—selling bonds requiring only board approval and one legal notice in a newspaper. Now, they’re maxed out on bonded indebtedness and crying,
we’ve spent it all, give us some more!

The library would achieve their needed spending cuts quicker (and with fewer layoffs) by starting from the top down, rather than the bottom up.

What’s preventing the board from putting a referendum on the next ballot, if they think they have a valid need to present to the taxpayers?